Got my EA 55" grapple today!

   / Got my EA 55" grapple today!
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#21  
Jchonline: Yep, I was picking up old tires with it doing exactly how you described just to practice using it.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #22  
Regardless which one you have I'm sure everything attachments helped you out for the application you were going to use it for. Like Tymanthius said practice and it will be an impressive tool!
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #23  
Tymanthius - nice grapple. Its a rock & root grapple. Couple suggestions. Look at the three pics of my grapple and make whatever mods you consider appropriate. The expanded metal on my OEM grill has been a lifesaver. Limbs, stobs, stick & trash are just looking for your head lights, grill, battery, radiator. The bungee chords keep the hoses up and out of the way. The heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing protects the hoses on the grapple and hydraulic top link on the 3-point.


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   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #24  
oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #25  
I was TRULY fortunate. About six months prior to my purchase of the grapple - several posts here on TBN regarding damage to tractors. Sticks tru grill and perf the battery. One had - thru grill - thru battery - perf radiator. That must have been a chunk of rebar. I took the OEM grill to the local weld shop. One of the "kids" there came up with the design and welded it up. He wanted to paint the "eyes" blue and the "tongue" bright red.

Spiral wound shielding = There is a business in Spokane - House of Hose. They deal with everything hydraulic. They have about half a dozen different designs - including four colors. No Kubota orange though. Look for a business that caters hydraulics to commercial contractors.

Now that it's winter - I would wire a chunk of plywood on your OEM grill as a temp measure. Gives protection until you can figure a permanent solution.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #26  
oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.

I just found the spiral protector on Amazon from a post yesterday. Tough looking stuff.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #27  
oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.

I just found the spiral protector on Amazon from a post yesterday. Tough looking stuff.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #28  
Doofy - that spiral wound stuff is so tough. After the first hose got wrapped I knew there had to be a better way. Three inches of hot water in the bath tub. Throw the hose in for 15 minutes. Grab the hot hose and run like Hades. You need gloves also. I ripped half of two fingernails clean off my fingers wrapping the first one cold. I think that was to ensure that I did not forget. Bled like a stuck pig.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #29  
Doofy - that spiral wound stuff is so tough. After the first hose got wrapped I knew there had to be a better way. Three inches of hot water in the bath tub. Throw the hose in for 15 minutes. Grab the hot hose and run like Hades. You need gloves also. I ripped half of two fingernails clean off my fingers wrapping the first one cold. I think that was to ensure that I did not forget. Bled like a stuck pig.

Thanks for the tip, oosik. The stuff looks fairly thick and hard to work with. Sure looks tougher than those thin nylon sleeves. Won't be trying to put any on this Winter...-4 this morning with a breeze and that's the coldest so far.
 
   / Got my EA 55" grapple today! #30  
OOOOhhhh, -4F makes my shoulders & neck ache with just the thoughts. We are 37F and rain. At your temps, I would be staring at the roaring fire thru a glass of magnificent amber fluid. Thoughts of the out-of-doors, furthest thing from my mind.
 

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